Proponents of case reports have outlined some particular advantages of the format. Case reports and series have a high sensitivity for detecting novelty and therefore remain one of the cornerstones of medical progress; they provide many new ideas in medicine.[7] Whereas randomized clinical trials usually only inspect one variable or very few variables, rarely reflecting the full picture of a complicated medical situation, the case report can detail many different aspects of the patient’s medical situation (e.g. patient history, physical examination, diagnosis, psychosocial aspects, follow up).[8]

Because typical, unremarkable cases are less likely to be published, use of case reports as scientific evidence must take into account publication bias. Some case reports also contain an extensive review of the relevant literature on the topic at-hand (and sometimes a systematic review of available evidence). Reports adopting this sort of approach can be identified by terms such as a "case report and review of the literature". Reports containing broader active research such as this might be considered case studies in the true definition of the term.

Case reports can also play a relevant role in medical education, providing a structure for case-based learning.[4]

A particular attraction of case reports is the possibility of quick publication (with respect to more extensive studies such as randomized control trials), allowing them to act as a kind of rapid short communication between busy clinicians who may not have the time or resources to conduct large scale research.[8]

Reporting guidelines

The quality of the scientific reporting of case reports is variable, and sub-optimal reporting hinders the use of case reports to inform research design or help guide clinical practice.[4] In response to these issues, reporting guidelines are under development to facilitate greater transparency and completeness in the provision of relevant information for individual cases.[4] The CARE (i.e. CAse REport) guidelines include a reporting checklist that is listed on the EQUATOR Network,[9] an international initiative aimed at promoting transparent and accurate reporting of health research studies to enhance the value and reliability of medical research literature. Case reports are professional narratives that outline the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of the medical problems of patients. Information from case reports provide feedback on clinical practice guidelines and offer a framework for early signals of effectiveness adverse events, and cost. They can be shared for medical, scientific, or educational purposes. This 13-item checklist includes indications regarding the title, key words, abstract, introduction, patient information, clinical findings, timeline, diagnostic assessment, therapeutic interventions, follow-up and outcomes, discussion, patient perspective, and informed consent.[4]

Publishing case reports

Many international journals will publish case reports, but they restrict the number that appear in the print run because this has an adverse effect on the journal's impact factor. Case reports are often put in the internet part of the journal and there is often still a requirement for a subscription to access them. However there are a few that are devoted to publishing case reports alone, and these are all open access. The first of these to start publishing, in 2001, was Grand Rounds.[10] Other similar journals include Case Reports in Medicine,[11]Journal of Medical Case Reports, Oncology Reports, Oncology Letters and Cases Journal; all of them publish peer-reviewed case reports in all areas of medicine. Cases Journal recently merged with the Journal of Medical Case Reports but still maintains an independent internet portal. BMJ Case Reports is an online, peer-reviewed journal publishing cases in all disciplines. Radiology Case Reports[12] and the Journal of Radiology Case Reports[13] are open-access peer-reviewed journals focusing on medical imaging. Journal Of Surgical Case Reports[14] is an open access peer-reviewed journal that considers case reports in the field of surgery. Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports[15] is an open access, peer-reviewed journal. Oncology Reports and Oncology Letters both publish case reports exclusively as open access, peer-reviewed journals in the field of oncology and cancer medicine. Human Pathology: Case Reports[16] is an open access, peer-reviewed journal publishing all aspects of pathology, regardless of the system affected.

There are a number of websites that allow patients to submit and share their own case reports with other people. PatientsLikeMe[17] and Treatment Report[18] are two such sites.

Use of term outside science

The term is also used to describe non-scientific reports usually prepared for educational reasons.